Tulsa is no stranger to high scoring affairs having played games well above tonight's total against the likes of Creighton, Oklahoma, and Maryland. And not only were the points there but the pace as well with 74, 75, and 74 possessions, respectively. I'm confident that we'll see a similar output pace-wise in tonight’s first round matchup vs. UCLA. The reason why this total is in a respectable range is because statistically, both squads play above average defense. Tulsa allowed only 0.90 points per possession in C-USA play – and amazingly, hasn't allowed more than 1.00 ppp since January 25. But while the league does feature a few decent offensive outfits, UCLA is on another level. The Bruins boast one of the most efficient offenses in the country AND they can do it by playing at a swift pace (70 possessions per game vs. PAC-12). My only concern is Tulsa not being able to knock down a few threes (32.5%). If Tulsa can find its way to the upper 60's, we'll be in business for an over-the-total winner.

NCAA Tournament Handicapping: UL-Lafayette gets much needed rest

UL-Lafayette caught a little bit of a break by drawing a Friday first round matchup. The Ragin Cajuns won three games – all barn burners – en route to the Sun Belt title. In fact ULL's last five games were decided by 3, 1, 6, 1, and 1 (OT).

“We played three days in a row, and it took everything out of us. But we’re gonna get that rest, and we’ll be ready to go Friday.”

“I’m glad we’re gonna play on Friday,” he said. “That extra day of rest will be important, for sure.”

NCAA Tournament Betting: Gonzaga comfortable in role of underdog

Unlike years past, Gonzaga seems to be flying somewhat under the radar this postseason as a small underdog to Oklahoma State for Friday's first round matchup. The Cowboys were -2 from much of the week but earlier today were bet up to -3.

“It feels like we’re kind of flying under the radar,” Pangos said over the phone from the Spokane, Wash., campus as his team continued preparations for a first-round matchup with the No. 9 Oklahoma State Cowboys (21-12) on Friday in San Diego.

“We’ve known we were going to get in (the tournament) for a week, but nobody’s really talking about us. Last year, we were the talk of the tournament. It was, ‘Is Gonzaga overrated, blah, blah, blah.’ ”

Louisville head coach Rick Pitino and former assistant/Manhattan head coach Steve Masiello don't sound pleased about tonight's first round matchup.

“We press like him, we trap like him, his offensive sets are just like ours,” Pitino said. “That’s why I don’t like the game. I don’t think it’s fair. I don’t like it. I don’t know why they would do it. I just don’t like the game at all for either one of us. We won the national championship and obviously we’re more heralded, but this is anybody’s game. This is not a 1-16.”

“To see them come up and then see us come up against them, it takes a little fun out of it,” Masiello told reporters. “It’s just, that’s not fun for me going against someone that I have to now try to beat, and almost in my mind, think negatively about. It’s hard for me to do that.”

Mercer's focus heading into Friday's first round matchup vs. Duke seems to be centered around defense – in particular shutting down Jabari Parker. Mercer allowed an Atlantic Sun-best 0.94 points per possession in league play. In step-up games against Texas, Seton Hall, Oklahoma, and Ole Miss, the Bears allowed 1.04, 0.89, 1.34, and 1.08 respectively.

“We’ve got a lot of different schemes we’re going to throw at him, a lot of different defenses that we’re going to throw at Duke in general, because he’s obviously one of their best players,” Gollon said. “They’ve got a bunch of guys that are really good.

“We’ve got some different stuff we’re going to throw at them, but more than anything, we’ve just got to lock down and play good team defense. We’ve always been a good defensive team.”

North Dakota State +3.5 vs. Oklahoma O/U 152
Recommendation: North Dakota State

North Dakota State has been priced as this short of an underdog for a very good reason – they are very live to win this game outright! The Bison are 25-6 overall and have the nation's #1 offense in terms of field goal percentage connecting on 50.9% of their shots. North Dakota State has a very good senior center in Marshall Bjorklund and a dynamic scorer in Taylor Braun and both should cause tons of problems for an Oklahoma squad that has struggled on the defensive end of the court allowing 75.9 points per game on 43.5% shooting. The Sooners lack an inside presence defensively and they don't force many turnovers. Oklahoma will score plenty of points because they too have a strong offense but because of their defensive holes it is going to be very difficult to win this contest by even the slimmest of margins. The Sooners got bounced in the first round of last Read more

NCAA Tournament Gambling: Odds of a perfect bracket

Every March, talks surface about the odds of filling out a perfect bracket. The common number used by the media is 1 in 9.2 quintillion – whatever that means. But one statistician argues the odds are significantly "lower" just based on the 16th seed not winning a game.

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